Governor Maura Healey is drawing a line in the sand with Massachusetts utility companies, demanding swift legislative action to lower energy bills and put an end to what her administration calls "skyrocketing" utility profits at a time when many Chelsea families are struggling to keep up with rising costs.

In a forceful letter to the conference committee negotiating the final energy affordability bill, Healey urged lawmakers to move quickly after their initial meeting to deliver relief for households and businesses across the Commonwealth. The governor's message was direct: utilities must stop fighting customer refunds and start prioritizing ratepayers over shareholders.

"It is absolutely outrageous that, at a time when the people of Massachusetts are struggling to pay their energy bills, utility spending, profits and shareholder payouts are skyrocketing," Healey said. "Enough is enough. Massachusetts ratepayers shouldn't be footing the bill for unnecessary utility spending or excessive profits."

The governor's energy affordability legislation, first filed in May 2025, comes as National Grid, Eversource, Berkshire Gas, and Liberty Gas have all pursued rate increases in the past year—some as high as 55 percent. The administration argues these increases are driven in part by significant infrastructure spending that simultaneously boosts utility profits.

Since the legislation was introduced, gas and electric utilities have continued seeking higher profits, increasing shareholder payouts, opposing efforts to rein in spending, and pursuing additional rate increases. Last year alone, Eversource and National Grid shareholders received billions in direct payouts.

"Our energy affordability legislation meets the moment we are in," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We need to act as Trump's war drives up energy prices worldwide and utility infrastructure spending raises ratepayer bills."

The proposed legislation would give the state new tools to lower energy bills by bringing more affordable energy online, reducing unnecessary costs for customers, and holding utilities accountable for excessive spending and profits. Key provisions include changing how energy is purchased to secure better deals, eliminating fees and profit adders paid to utilities, removing unnecessary charges from bills, and allowing the Department of Public Utilities to initiate audits of utility companies.

The administration has also taken aim at utilities for fighting efforts to return profits to ratepayers. Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered New England transmission owners to return approximately $1.5 billion in profits collected over the past decade following advocacy by then-Attorney General Healey and current Attorney General Andrea Campbell. The transmission owners have appealed this ruling and called for a slower rollout of refunds.

Healey and Campbell opposed the utilities' proposal and successfully rallied all New England governors to join in opposition.

For Chelsea residents, the outcome of this legislative battle could have significant implications for monthly household budgets as the administration works to shift the balance of power from utility shareholders back to ratepayers.